Sinclair’s Latest Smoke And Mirrors Plan To Circumvent Media Ownership Rules Should Stop Sinclair-Tribune Merger
The Coalition to Save Local Media released the following statement on Sinclair Broadcast Group’s latest filing to the Federal Communications Commission:
“Yet again, Sinclair has failed to justify that its proposed merger is in the public interest and ducked serious questions raised by the FCC and other parties.
“Sinclair’s most recent FCC filing is just another smoke and mirrors plan. Sinclair acknowledges that its list of divestiture stations is not final and will be amended further. This means the FCC and other parties lack a full and complete record to evaluate the transaction.
“Instead of fully divesting stations, Sinclair admits it will skirt the rules through side deals with prospective buyers allowing Sinclair to continue to manage the stations and giving it the ability to repurchase those stations at a later time.
“These filings should prompt even more scrutiny by the FCC, Department of Justice, Congress, and other parties on this proposed mega-merger. The FCC shot clock should remain stopped until Sinclair proposes a credible plan for how it plans to comply with the broadcast ownership rules. When this plan is ultimately produced, there should be meaningful time for review and public comment.
“This merger is not in the interest of consumers and would hurt local media across the country. We continue to call for this merger to be denied.”
The Coalition to Save Local Media came together to stop the proposed Sinclair-Tribune merger. The Coalition is nonpartisan and includes members on both sides of the aisle. Notably, the Coalition includes members that have previously been on opposite sides of regulatory fights.
Members of the Coalition to Save Local Media include: American Cable Association, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, A Wealth of Entertainment channel, Cinemoi, Common Cause, the Competitive Carriers Association, the Computer and Communications Industry Association, DISH, Indivisible – Herndon & Reston, ITTA, the International Cinematographers Guild, Latino Victory Project, Leased Access Programmers Association, NABET-CWA, National Hispanic Media Coalition, NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, One America News Network, Parents Television Council, Public Knowledge, RIDE TV, the Sports Fans Coalition, TheBlaze, and UCC.